Level 4 Lockdown- Things to do!

After a day in lockdown, we realised that we were spending way too much time on the screens! We really can't go on like this for four weeks! I know how much my 6 year old loves routine, the first thing she does when we get to school each day is check the teacher's plan for the day on the board.

I've put together a schedule which you can print off below. The day is divided into blocks which young children can understand, and it is helpful for us adults too!!

We are finding that dividing the child minding between the adults in the household works best for us. I wish that I could say my children happily play independently, but they don't! Assigning an adult responsible for each activity also gives the other adults an opportunity to plan their day, when they will work, exercise, cook, and call their friends on the phone.

I think it's important to remember that we're not teachers, and this is a stressful time for our children, and for us. We don't need to add additional stress by trying to teach them to read or do maths. It won't hurt our children to not do school work for a few weeks, let's try to find learning in everyday things like cooking, art, playing outside etc.

Scroll down for some activity ideas.

Click here to view the schedule as a google sheet

Outside Time

Bike ride

Walk around the block

Hopscotch

Play outside if you have a backyard

Scooter ride

School Time- No Screens

Reading to your child

Your child reading to you- but keep it casual and make it fun

Flash cards

Board games

Treasure hunt

Write cards to each other or to your neighbours

Write stories

Creative Time

Cooking

Colouring (lots of great free colouring pages available online)

Painting

Making a hut

Making smoothies

Drawing outside with chalk

Gardening

Obstacle course

Make a paper chain (rip off one link for each 28 days of lock down? Though could be difficult if lock down ends up going more than 28 days, maybe make the chain until Easter instead?)

Painting rocks

Making soap

Chores

Wipe the table

Tidy your room

Put away toys

Tidy up after creative time

Disinfect handles

Make your bed

Make your lunch

School Time- Screens OK

Reading Eggs

Mathseeds

Storyline Online

Listening to books on Audible

Call a friend or grandparent on FaceTime

Play Time

Board games

Hide and seek

Toys

Tea party

Dolls

Blocks

Lego

Play in the hut/ fort that they've made

Active Video Time

YouTube- Zumba with Dovydas 

YouTube- Cosmic Kids Yoga

YouTube- Les Mills Born to Move

Gonoodle.com (dancing, meditation)

YouTube- Kids Zumba

Tips for Toddlers

For toddlers try to keep the day looser, but still structured. School time could be replaced with activity time. Try setting up two activities, for example blocks and toys, and letting your toddler choose what to do. Pack the activities away afterwards, and replace with different activities. Afternoon school time will hopefully be replaced with a nap if your toddler is still napping!

If you are finding this schedule a bit stressful, just ditch it and don't feel bad about it. It's a stressful time and we don't need to be adding extra stress. Likewise, if your child happily enjoying an activity 'don't change the channel', meaning, don't move them on to the next activity just for the sake of the schedule.

This is a crazy time, I really do wish you all the best!

xx

Anita